Avoid foods that can cause choking. Foods that are too large in size; shaped like a sphere or cylinder; or firm and smooth can all cause choking. Avoid the following foods:

Tough or large chunks of meat

Hot dogs, meat sticks or sausage

Fish with bones

Large chunks of cheese

Peanuts or other nuts or seeds

Peanut butter

Whole beans

Whole uncut cherry or grape tomatoes

Raw vegetable pieces

Whole uncut grapes, berries, cherries, or melon balls

Fruit pieces with pits or seeds

Popcorn

Potato/corn chips

Hard candy, jelly beans, caramels or gum drops

Chewing gum

Marshmallows

NOTE: To help prevent choking, an infant should always eat sitting straight up in a high-chair or similar chair. Infants should not eat when lying down, playing, walking, crawling or riding in the car. Be sure to watch your infant when they are eating.